7 Celebrity Faces Behind Designer Brands

BY: ALEXANDRA KESHISHIAN | @ALEXXKESHISHIAN

Many celebrities and public figures often come to mind when picturing luxury/designer brands, especially for those who indulge in pop culture. This marketing tactic introduces people to new brands through the people they love and establishes said brands with a specific image and vibe through the people they choose to work with. With a simple flip through Vogue or scroll through a brand's Instagram feed, we see examples of these celebrities plastered throughout, rocking signature pieces and new styles each season. Consumers have now established certain people with each designer, and although the brand may announce a new face or ambassador, certain celebrities will always remain associated with specific labels. In no particular order, here are seven celebrity faces behind these brands. 

Kristen Stewart For Chanel

Chanel is known to be selective with whom they choose to work with; I’d consider being a “Chanel Girl” one of the most exclusive honors in the fashion world. Kristen Stewart is most known for her unforgettable role as Bella Swan in Twilight, a film that has changed the lives of teenage girls everywhere since its release. 

Stewart began her journey with Chanel in 2013, working as an ambassador for the brand and a muse for none other than Karl Lagerfeld, a German fashion designer most well-known for his work with Chanel. Her ability to allow for masculinity and femininity to coexist throughout her looks is not to be overlooked, as she has remained an ambassador for the brand since. Just one search of her name and Chanel will provide an array of campaigns, red-carpet looks, and examples showing her loyalty and admiration for the brand. 

Harry Styles For Gucci

A few celebrities are closely tied with Gucci, but I’d argue that the most loyal and notable one over recent years has to be Harry Styles. A friend of the former creative director Alessandro Michele, Styles has re-invented his image from a former boy band star to one of the biggest names in music, fashion, and pop culture. After being named ambassador of the brand in 2017, his name became more infiltrated in the fashion industry. 

Aside from his collection/campaign with the brand, titled Gucci HA HA HA in honor of his and Alessandro’s initials, he wore an array of custom Gucci looks throughout his sellout tour, Love on Tour (2021-2023). Many fans have begun associating Gucci with Styles, given he often works with them. In 2018, Styles attended the Met Gala (his only time attending) with Alessandro, further establishing his close-knit relationship with the brand and the people behind it. Although many speculate his association with the brand will begin to fizzle out now that Alessandro has stepped down, there is no doubt that Styles will forever be connected to Gucci, if not through the present, then through the past. 

Anne Hathaway For Versace

Handpicked by Donatella for her Icons collection, Anne Hathaway has been closely associated with Versace throughout 2023. The collection was inspired by strong women and is described as timeless with a hit of edge, aligned with Hathaway’s recent looks with the brand. Donatella was inspired by her work with the UN and how she uses her platform to encourage.

Hathaway is well-known for her role in the iconic film The Devil Wears Prada, where her character, Andy, becomes assistant to the Editor-in-Chief of Runway Magazine, Miranda Priestly. The film is an obvious comparison to Vogue and Anna Wintour, commenting on society's harsh stereotypes of those working in the fashion industry. Anne has continued establishing her presence in the fashion world since then, and her Met Gala look this past year (Versace, of course) was jaw-dropping and my favorite of the evening. Going from American Sweetheart after The Princess Diaries to unfortunately being hated by many, she is precisely the person Donatella was looking for. 

Florence Pugh For Valentino  

One of our generation's most significant (and one of my favorite) actresses, Florence Pugh, has recently made headlines for her bold fashion moves. Her partnership with Valentino became official this year, as they referred to her as the brand-new face of the brand. We can’t forget her sheer pink gown in 2022, which inadvertently caused considerable controversy. That incident and the drama surrounding her film Don’t Worry Darling threw her name into the headlines last year.

Although some (shockingly) didn’t know of her previously, she has starred in a handful of incredible films, including Little Women and Midsommar. As her fame has grown, she has started experimenting with her look and has continuously stunned at red carpets and events. Rocking a buzz cut and edgy style, she invariably turns heads in the fashion industry and has established herself incredibly.

J-Hope For Louis Vuitton

 On June 15th, Louis Vuitton revealed their new campaign featuring J-Hope, a K-pop idol and member of BTS. This news is no surprise, especially since his band has been dominating the globe, and the boys have been showing up and showing out on red carpets. More importantly, he and his bandmates were ambassadors of the brand in 2021, and that association has remained a defining moment for their presence in the fashion industry.

J-Hope has a solo career alongside being a member of BTS. In March 2018, he released "Hope World," his debut solo mixtape, gaining critical acclaim and commercial success. From wearing LV during award shows to sitting front row at their runway shows, it is, without a doubt, clear that J-Hope both embodies and represents the brand's image. 

Zendaya For Bulgari

If you have browsed through Vogue, you have likely stumbled upon a stunning picture of Zendaya wearing Bulgari. This collaboration is one of the most iconic celebrity partnerships with a brand after she was named an ambassador in 2020. Her fame started in 2010, starring as Rocky Blue on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up, where she showcased her acting, dancing, and singing capabilities. 

Throughout the years, she successfully transitioned from a Disney girl to one of our generation's most notable and talented actresses, especially after her success as the lead character in the hit show Euphoria and starring alongside her current partner, Tom Holland, in the latest Spider-Man films. As her image changed, she became huge in the fashion world, much of which is credited to her iconic stylist, Law Roach, and the looks he has curated for her red-carpet appearances. As she’s entered the world of luxury, it is no surprise that Bulgari has turned to her to represent the new generation of celebrities working with their iconic jewelry, especially now that the brand has started to appeal to a younger audience of fashion lovers. 

Zoe Kravitz For Saint Laurent 

Living in a nepo-baby-obsessed society means we are well aware of Zoe Kravitz, daughter of singer/songwriter/actor Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. Like her father, people view Zoe as being subjectively stylish, which is why her being named the face of Saint Laurent in 2018 made so much sense. Aside from being closely linked to the clothes, she was named a YSL Beauty Ambassador in 2017 and has continued her close relationship with the brand until today.

She recently starred alongside Robert Pattinson in The Batman but has obviously had a presence in the industry since a young age. Her identity aligns well with the identity of Saint Laurent as a brand. She has said that she doesn’t need to change who she is to fit the brand's image, as she tells Elle, “It feels effortless because I don’t have to transform into something that I’m not to represent the brand.” Although many celebrities work with YSL, Zoe’s partnership is extra-special in view of the fact that she works with multiple branches of the brand, representing all of YSL, not just their clothing.